Ji Han Liu Zhang

Chapter 205 Linqiong Iron Official
  Liu Zhang had high expectations for Pu Yuan, but when he actually saw Pu Yuan, he couldn't help but be a little disappointed. Without him, Pu Yuan standing in front of him looked like a young man. Although he looked a little mature, he was just a young man. I am afraid that it will be difficult to shoulder the important responsibilities as in history.

This is also the reason why Liu Zhang traveled too early. It is now the second year of Xingping, and next year will be the famous first year of Jian'an in history.

There are certain advantages to coming early. After all, it is important to strike first to gain the upper hand, and to strike later will suffer. It is important to seize the opportunity, but coming early also has certain disadvantages. Just like now, the figures of the Three Kingdoms that Liu Zhang is well-known for, A lot of it didn’t grow.

For example, Liu Zhang promoted Wang Lian, Gao Rou and others to the positions of various Cao officials one by one. However, although these people were full of talents and learning, they lacked experience and were not as mature as in history.

Secondly, there was Pu Yuan in front of Liu Zhang. The youthful temperament on Pu Yuan's face had not completely faded away, and he did not have the majestic temperament in history that could serve as Zhuge Wuhou's Western Cao Cao.

However, Liu Zhang was also vaccinated. As a soldier, Peng Yi informed him of Pu Yuan's age and appearance early. Therefore, when summoning Pu Yuan, Liu Zhang also summoned Pu Yuan's father. He is also the leader of the Linqiong Pu clan, Pu He.

Otherwise, if Liu Zhang summoned Pu Yuan alone, it would appear to be too disobedient in the eyes of outsiders. But with Pu He, the leader of the Pu clan in Linqiong, to cover up, it would be okay.

"The villain Pu He and the boy Pu Yuan have met Mr. Ming."

Faced with Liu Zhang, who held the power in Yizhou, and Liu Zhang's separate summons, Pu He, as the leader of the Pu clan in Linqiong, did not know Liu Zhang's intention, but he had a stable temperament and behaved well. He looked like a man and saluted Liu Zhang with all etiquette.

Pu Yuan, who was next to Pu He, had a young mind and couldn't help but look at Liu Zhang secretly, wanting to know what the supreme Yizhou Mu looked like. As Pu He bowed down, Pu Yuan withdrew his eyes from sizing up Liu Zhang and bowed down as well.

"Get up and take a seat to answer the question." Liu Zhang said with a friendly expression, waving the crystal clear jade Ruyi in his hand.

"Thank you Minggong." Pu He thanked him sincerely, and then led Pu Yuan to the table.

Pu He had doubts in his heart and didn't quite understand Liu Zhang's intention of summoning him. Although the Pu family in Linqiong was quite famous in Linqiong, looking at the wealthy families in the entire Shu County, the Pu family in Linqiong was just a small Kara. Mi and Xiao are just a humble guy. No matter how you think about it, they are not worthy of being summoned alone by Liu Zhang, the shepherd of Yizhou.

Not to mention that the Linqiong Pu family was not a family of Confucian scholars, but a wealthy family whose business was smelting. Of course, at best, they were called a wealthy family, at worst, they were just a wealthy businessman, and at worst, they were just a blacksmith.

Pu He was confused and puzzled, but in front of Liu Zhang and faced with Liu Zhang's campaign last year and his overwhelming momentum in Shu, he did not dare to ask any questions and just waited for Liu Zhang's inquiries.

Liu Zhang did not let Pu He wait too long. He asked for more information: "Pu Jun, I heard that your Pu family is engaged in smelting. The iron tools you make are very sharp and you can be said to be the best in Linqiong."

When Pu He heard this, he immediately gave in and said humbly: "The iron forged in this little man's house is indeed sharp, but it is unreasonable to say that it is the best in Linqiong."

Although he shied away from the title of No. [-] in Linqiong, Pu He, as a craftsman, has accepted the saying that the iron tools he forged are elite. This is the legacy of his Pu family in Linqiong, a major smelting county. If the forged iron tools were inferior, how would the Pu family face the competition from other Linqiong iron merchants?

Liu Zhang heard the sound of the string and knew the elegant meaning, and understood Pu He's pride as a craftsman. After all, Pu He just didn't dare to be the first in Linqiong, and Pu He recognized the fact that the iron tools he forged were elite.

Caressing the smooth and delicate jade Ruyi on his hand, Liu Zhang revealed something: "There are many things happening in the world right now, and the treasury is scarce. The government wants to start a monopoly on ironware to replenish the treasury."

‘Government and ironware. ’ Liu Zhang’s words resounded in Pu He’s mind like a thunder, which shocked Pu He and made him confused.

As a smelting family, the Pu family has certain historical memories of the salt and iron monopoly or monopoly promoted by the government. In the past, during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, the country was in financial difficulties due to foreign affairs involving barbarians. Therefore, Sang Hongyang, the chief minister of the Emperor Xiaowu period, turned his attention to salt and iron and classified salt and iron as a government monopoly. He started the private smelting industry and used salt and iron to bring wealth to the country.

Thinking of the past history, Pu He felt a little bitter in his heart, but although he was unhappy in his heart, he did not dare to show it on his face. Liu Zhang's words were not discussing with him, but simply describing the policies he was about to implement. ‘Monopoly? ’ Pu He, who noticed the word “monopoly” in Liu Zhang’s words, fell into deep thought. Monopoly does not seem to be equivalent to the government’s monopoly on a series of operations such as iron forging, transportation, and sales. There seems to be room for maneuverability in it.

After a moment, Pu He, who did not dare to remain silent for too long, asked humbly: "I dare to ask Ming Gong, I don't know what the monopoly means. Is it that the government buys ironware from blacksmiths like us and then sells it everywhere."

"Exactly, you blacksmiths are responsible for the forging of ironware, and the transportation to various places for sale is left to the government... As for the pricing of ironware, the government will negotiate with you and give a fair price, and the government will follow you and wait. The iron merchants will buy ironware based on the sales situation, denounce inferior ironware, and purchase more high-quality ironware. The best iron merchants will survive and the fittest will be eliminated. The good ones will advance and the inferior ones will retreat." Liu Zhang gave Pu He a reassurance. , Pu He may not dare to ask about the pricing of ironware, but Liu Zhang felt the need to make it clear that only by treating others with sincerity can others treat me with sincerity.

The customs of the Han Dynasty were inherited from the Spring and Autumn Period, and were not as turbid as those of later generations. Therefore, Liu Zhang spent most of his time showing sincerity and gaining people's hearts by making friends. This is called exchanging sincerity for sincerity.

After all, the real people are depressed and the world is dirty. They have to wait until Cao Cao kills all the loyal people of the Han Dynasty in order to ascend to the throne. Even intermediate figures like Xun Yu are forced to kill. Then Sima Yi first swears by Luo Shui and then turns around and kills Cao Shuang. One family, and the brothers Sima Shi and Sima Zhao shamelessly killed Zhongliang and promoted people like Jia Chong for the throne. Chengji even shot out a dragon like a dragon on the street, stabbing Emperor Cao Mao to his core. The blood of the scholars was so cold that they abandoned their loyalty and talked about metaphysics. At that time, sincerity was worthless, and talking about sincerity was of no use.

‘The good ones advance, the bad ones retreat. ’ After hearing Liu Zhang’s explanation, Pu He felt as if the spring breeze was in his arms, and all the doubts, bitterness, and anger in his heart disappeared.

Pu He believed that compared to the quality of the iron he smelted, his family was superior to other iron merchants in Linqiong. The government's monopoly on ironware might not have a great impact on the Pu family, so he did not Nothing to worry about.

Furthermore, Pu He heard what Liu Zhang said, regarding the pricing of ironware, the government negotiated with various iron merchants, and with Liu Zhang's status, he naturally believed what he said from Liu Zhang's mouth.

"Ming Gong is thoughtful and very considerate." Pu He thanked Liu Zhang with his hands in hand. At the same time, he secretly thanked Liu Zhang for informing him of such important news in advance, giving Pu He the opportunity to prepare in advance.

Liu Zhang was somewhat tired of hearing such flattering words. His face was calm, as if he was mentioning an unimportant matter: "Pu Jun, there is still a shortage of iron officials in Linqiong. There has never been a good candidate for this job. Later, King Cao of Jin even In the future, the promotion of the ironware monopoly in Linqion will require the cooperation of the Linqiong Iron Officer... I would like to take you as the Linqiong Iron Officer, but I don't know if you are willing to take up the post."

Pu Yuan, who was beside Pu He, widened his eyes. Although the Pu family was outstanding in the smelting process, there was no big progress in the official career. The children of the clan only served as scribes in Linqiong County. Such positions.

But now Liu Zhang has thrown the post of Linqion Iron Official in front of his Pu family, and Pu Yuan cannot be tempted. Although Pu Yuan is young, he is very familiar with the position of Iron Official. When he was young, he often thought about becoming an iron officer when he grew up. Now the position of Linqiong iron officer was placed in front of his father Pu He. If his father Pu He got the iron officer position, he would have a good chance in the future. After the death of his father, his son also took up the post of iron officer.

Pu Yuan's eyes were burning, as if a fire was burning in his pupils. He turned his head and looked at his father Pu He, with great hope in his heart. He hoped that Pu He would accept the post of iron official and open up an official career for him.

Pu He swallowed his saliva. As for the iron official position that Liu Zhang offered casually and casually, as the patriarch of the Pu family and the Pu family was from a smelting family, he was naturally eager to accept it immediately.

After taking a few deep breaths, Pu He suppressed the excitement in his heart. He patiently declined to Liu Zhang and said, "Ming Gong, He has never held any official position. Suddenly he was appointed to the iron official position, for fear that he would not be qualified for the job."

Hearing this, Pu Yuan's eyes dimmed. He didn't expect that Pu He would refuse. Pu He was a little worried at the moment. He was worried that Liu Zhang would take his usual polite excuses in line with worldly customs and make Liu Zhang not take his iron hand. If the official position is awarded to him, it will really be heartbreaking.

Therefore, after saying the polite words, Pu He boldly glanced at Liu Zhang who was standing above him, but saw that Liu Zhang's expression did not waver, and he could not see Liu Zhang's thoughts at all. He couldn't help but panic secretly, fearing that his polite words would be blocked. Liu Zhang took it seriously.

Liu Zhang was as clear-minded as Linglong. He sat at the top, just like a teacher in the classroom. He knew all the little moves of the students below him. He also noticed Pu He's sneak glances. There was a smile on the corner of his mouth, he waved his hand and said: "Pu Jun does not need to refuse. I want to come to the Pu family to smelt and inherit the family. I must have some understanding of the iron official position. Why should I be so humble... I have made up my mind. I will take Pu Jun as my successor." Linqiong Iron Officer, I also hope that Mr. Pu can do his job well and cooperate with King Cao of Jin to make great achievements."

"Thank you Ming Gong." Pu He waited for the words he wanted, and immediately rushed to thank him.

(End of this chapter)